LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 69: Chapter 65
Despite being the first day, the bakery was already bustling with customers. Amidst the hustle and bustle, Soobin was busy taking care of the customers and guiding his co-workers. He had been working since 5 am. Despite the early hours and the workload, he didn't feel exhausted at all. He continued to make cakes, pastries, cookies, breads, tarts, and many other items. Although he had some workers to help him, he felt invigorated and preferred to work on his own. They opened the bakery at 10, and from then on, people began to stream in. As time passed, the crowd grew, making his day even busier.
Yeonjun arrived at 11, after finishing his own duties. He was standing at the door, watching Soobin, captivated by how charming he looked while working, guiding, and giving orders to his team. A grin spread across Yeonjun's face as he thought to himself that all his efforts had paid off.
"Oy!" he felt a familiar touch on his shoulder and tried to look back. He looked left and then right to check who it was or if he was mistaking. Beomgyu stood right beside him, still touching his shoulder.
"I came to see if you could use my advice well." He tried to wrap his hand around Yeonjun's neck, but restrained after glancing back. Yeonjun understood and smirked.
"Your cute lover is here too?" He chuckled mockingly.
"Cute! I wish you could see his true face!" Beomgyu acted as if he was terrified.
"Why? Does he give you a hard time? I knew he's a red flag! Hurry up and break up before it's too late." Yeonjun got worried for real.
"No-no! That's not what I mean! He's a great guy! It's just he's likely a gatekeeper. Moreover, this wasn't what I was talking about at all!" Beomgyu tried to come clean as well as shielded Taehyun.
"Then?" Yeonjun was curious at first.
"Ohio! I got it! You mean in bed, don't ya?" Yeonjun chuckled just like a gossip aunt and slapped his back.
"Hey! Don't spit nonsense! Anyways, I came to check on your shop if everything was going well. And I bet, you're doing so well and don't need any hand. So, I'm off!" Beomgyu was a bit mad as Yeonjun wasn't listening to him at all. He turned around to walk away.
"Darling! I was joking!" He subconsciously hugged Beomgyu by his waist to stop him from going. When Yeonjun was laughing while grabbing Beomgyu's waist, his eyes met with Taehyun. He gulped as those eyes were throwing red beams at him. He was flabbergasted seeing that angry face. Meanwhile, Soobin ran to them. His face was gleaming with joy and excitement.
"Yeonjun hyung! You're here!" As soon as Soobin ran to Yeonjun, he noticed how he was hugging Beomgyu. His gleaming face turned gloomy.
"Um…you're busy here! I see!" He lowered his head, forgetting the reason he rushed there.
"It's…not what you…" before Yeonjun could clarify, Beomgyu started talking.
"See? I told you this guy isn't trustworthy! You should've listened to me back then! Now this guy is cheating on you…*umm* *umm*" Beomgyu kept trying to brag nonsense even though Yeonjun pressed his mouth harder.
"Fuck! Cut the crap!" Yeonjun put his palm on Beomgyu's mouth, trying to stop him and unfreed him from the hug.
"Hello!" Soobin bowed and then looked at Yeonjun.
"I…need to…go." Soobin turned away to get back to work. But his mind was stuck at the sight of Yeonjun hugging Beomgyu.
"Wait!" Yeonjun ran to him and grabbed his hand.
"It…was a misunderstanding! I can explain!" Yeonjun looked at Soobin's face, his heart was aching while thinking he just hurt his precious person.
"It's fine! You don't need to! Why would you?" Soobin scoffed at nothing but his destiny and freed his hand and walked away.
"Omo! You just offended your boyfie!" Beomgyu was making fun from behind.
"Oil in your own machine! It all happened because of you!" Yeonjun was mad this time though he didn't know who he was angry with.
Right at the moment, Yeonjun noticed two familiar figures standing outside of the bakery, hesitating whether they'd come inside or not.
"Take your seats. I'll deal with you later." Yeonjun patted Beomgyu's shoulder mildly and then went outside. Just as he thought they were his parents.
"Mom! Dad! You guys?" Yeonjun grinned and went to hug his mom.
"Sorry, son! We thought about coming yesterday at your opening ceremony. But, your mother was feeling a bit under the weather." his dad said. Even if he said everything in a poker face, Yeonjun was very touched. He built so many things in these past few years, but his parents never came to see them. As it was the first time they came to cheer him, Yeonjun couldn't hold back his tears. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes as if something went in his eyes.
"Come inside! I'll show you around." Yeonjun invited them in.
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While showing around, Yeonjun took his parents to the kitchen where Soobin was busy leading his workers. He noticed Yeonjun from afar and seeing two elderly people with him, he guessed who they might be. Although he was still thinking about the incident, he went to them and welcomed them.
"Hello, Aunty! Hello uncle!" Soobin bowed very gently.
"Aigoo! What a handsome boy this is!" his mom went closer to Soobin and stared at him, extending her hand towards her. Soobin looked at Yeonjun with his boba eyes as he was surprised. Yeonjun nodded and assured him that they're not unknown people.
"Ai! No! No! I'm not!" Soobin replied smilingly, as well as very shyly.
"Mom! Dad! This is the person I've talked about. And Soobin! This is my mom and my dad!" Yeonjun gladly introduced them.
"Huh?" Soobin was so stunned that he couldn't say a word. Did he just say he mentioned him to his parents? Then, do they know about their relationship? Did they approve of them? Or did Yeonjun lie about their relationship? Soobin was searching for answers on his own.
"He is the one you like?" His mom finally touched Soobin's face as he bent over to her. Yeonjun's dad also came to him and scanned him thoroughly.
"Hm." His father nodded as if he liked his son's choice.
"I've heard everything about you. Yeonjun told me. Poor thing!" She caressed his face with her motherly love.
"Pardon?" Soobin was startled as he thought Yeonjun told his mother about his past.
"I know you lost your parents at a very young age. It must be hard, right? I wish I could've met you earlier so that I could give you the affection you needed." she kept staring at Soobin's face. His smile melted her heart completely. He placed his hand on her, allowing her to keep adoring himself.
"We can still give him the love he deserves." Yeonjun's dad put his hand on Soobin's shoulder and patted him.
"Right? From now on, you're our son as well. You have to call me mom and call him dad just like our Junnie." she looked at Yeonjun who was staring at them while grinning.
"Really?" Soobin couldn't hold back his tears anymore. He was so touched that it was hard for him to say a word except for *mom* and *dad*
"Tsk! Look at yourselves! Am I even your son? I bet! You guys never showed up when I started my firm. But, now you guys showed up and without giving a damn about me, you are rooting for him! This is so unfair!" Yeonjun started acting as if he was so jealous of Soobin though he had a broad smile on his face.
"You're in no place to talk! Do you really think we'd kick you out again if you went back to us? We tried to look for you, but we had no idea where you were! Moreover, we were ashamed of ourselves." Yeonjun's mom was talking aloud at first, but her voice reduced when she started regretting their actions.
"Yeah! Yeah! I get it! I get it! No need to be sentimental now." Yeonjun uncrossed his arms and rolled his eyes, acting as if he was irritated. As a mom, he knew her son very well, so she just chuckled and went towards him. She held his hand and placed it on Soobin's hand.
"I don't know much about this kind of relationship. But, one thing I can tell you is that my son likes you a lot. So, please take care of each other. I couldn't shower you with love, but he can make it up for me. As a mother, I beg you to look after my Junnie." She was smiling, trying to hide her tears as if she was marrying her son off. Soobin looked at Yeonjun, but couldn't give a real smile. Seeing him, Yeonjun understood what was going on. He lowered his head, out of guilt, avoiding Soobin's eyes.
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The weather was a bit chilly. Though the sun was shining, a cold breeze from the river shore was sweeping through, mingling with the sweet scent of flowers and grass. Soobin was sitting quietly, trying to feel the natural beauty, gazing in the distance. However, his mind was far from peaceful. Although he was trying his best to clear his thoughts, unpleasant memories were lingering. As he was exhausted from work, he had decided to take a break after lunch.
Yeonjun approached him slowly from behind, after searching for him for a while. When Yeonjun finally placed his hand on Soobin's shoulder, Soobin startled and gasped.
"Ah! The weather is fascinating, right?" Yeonjun sat beside him while looking at the river.
"Hm." Soobin replied, without glancing at Yeonjun.
"Did you have lunch?" Yeonjun asked, gazing at him. Soobin was looking so charming that it was hard for him to move his eyes from him.
"Hm. Did you?" Soobin finally looked at Yeonjun. It was clear on his face that he was thinking about something very hard.
"Yeah!" Yeonjun kept staring at him, hesitating to say what he wanted to. Soobin sneered at Yeonjun, holding his knees with his arms. Yeonjun understood it was the perfect time.
"Look! Whatever you saw earlier…" Before Yeonjun said his words, Soobin opened his mouth.
"I know! Beomgyu told me everything. It wasn't your fault. Sorry for being mad at you." Soobin replied while smiling mildly.
"He did? Thank goodness! Though I doubt he didn't sugarcoat it! Howe…" Yeonjun sighed with relief and continued. This time also, Soobin interrupted.
"Moreover, who am I to be mad at you? You did so much for me and I keep asking for more. How shameless am I! I don't know if I can ever repay you, I will try my best to do what you want me to do." Soobin was staring into the horizon, but looked at Yeonjun as soon as he finished.
"What? Hey! Do you think I was doing everything to be repaid? No! Don't you ever think like this! I love you! Yeah! And as long as I can, I will do everything for you! This is my happiness! I'm happy to be able to do something for the person I love. Moreover, you have the full right to be mad at me. It'd be enough for me as long as you love me and stay by my side. I don't want more than that. So, don't you ever EVER say something like this, got it? You don't have my permission to think like this either!" Yeonjun acted angry, but Soobin could understand he was trying to console him.
"Hmm." Soobin leaned on his shoulder, a beautiful and satisfied smile was visible in his face. He felt refreshed now that he blurted his anxiety out and was delighted when he had Yeonjun next to him.
"Soobin-ah!" While staring at him, Yeonjun called.
"Hm?" Soobin raised his head and looked at Yeonjun with his curious eyes.
"Can I…can I k…kiss you?" Although he was hesitant if it'd be alright, he couldn't restrain himself anymore.
"Go ahead!" Soobin blushed, smiling with embarrassment. Yeonjun gazed into his eyes, leaning in very close. Soobin felt his heart racing at its top speed. He placed his hands on the grass and leaned back slightly, supporting his weight. He closed his eyes and gulped hard, able to hear his heart pounding. He felt a soft, gentle, and incredibly sweet touch on his cheek. When he opened his eyes, he found Yeonjun's lips on his cheek. His entire face turned red and he quickly lowered his gaze, unable to meet Yeonjun's eyes.